He explains in Tennessee employers have the right to discriminate against anyone they choose, but people are protected against being turned away for gender, disability, religious, and racial reasons.

"Is it fair? Probably not. Particularly when we see how many people have tattoos and when we look at how the tattoo will impact the person's job performance. I believe the answer to that would be no, in most people's employment circumstance," Nelson explained.

Wallace says he's still waiting to hear back from at least five jobs he's applied for. In the mean time he's doing odd jobs to make ends meet.

"Going for job and how the economy is, not doing well in the first place and I have a family that I'm trying to take care of."

A Bojangles' managing partner who runs several franchises here in Tennessee tells WBIR 10News their current employee handbook is under revision to allow long sleeves and tattoo cover-ups.

The Knox County Health Department doesn't regulate individual businesses but told WBIR 10News - if an employee has painted nails, false nails or more than one ring (a wedding ring/engagement ring combo counts as one ring), they must wear gloves.